Vapor-supply apparatus for fuel charges of internal-combustion engines



1,542,301 P. L. JONES VAPOR SUPPLY APPARATUS FOR FUEL CHARGES: OFINTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES June 16, 1925;

Filed Nov. 2, 1923 I iir/vewzor: P87?!) L.Jo Ewes,

Patented June 16, 1925.

M PnnoY LfJonEs, or EnroRn, innssaonusn'r'rs.

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l'p'plication filed November 2.51923. Serial No. 672,314.

To all whom it'may co ncem': v Be .it known that I, PERCY L. JoNns, acitizen of the United States, and ares-ident of Medford, in the countyof Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement inVapor-Supply Apparatus for Fuel Charges of Internal-Combustion Engines,of which the following description, in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawingsrepresenting like parts.

This invention aims to provide a novel and improved apparatus forsupplying water vapor to the fuel charge of an internal combustionengine.

The invention will reference to the following when taken. in connectionwiththe accompanying drawings of one specific embodiment thereof, whileits scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.7

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in vertical section, of a portion of amotor vehicle having an internal combustion engine equipped with awater-vapor supply apparatus exemplifying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical, sectional View of a portion of the apparatusshowing particu larly the upper part of the radiator and its cap; and r1 Fig. 3 is a similar sectionalview ofthe slight modification of theconstruction shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, and to the embodiment of the invention whichis selected for exemplification, there is shown a portion of a motorvehicle having an internal combustion engine 4, to which, the fuelcharge is supplied "by a carburetor 5, whence it is conducted by anintake 6 to the combustion chambers. inders have a water jacket 7 whichcommunicates with a radiator 8. The radiator be best understood bypresents a water reservoir having a neck 9, through which water isintroduced into the cooling system. Anoverflow pipe 10' leading from theneck discharges at a convenient point therebelow, outside of theradiator. The engine and its cooling system, as thus far described, areof usual and wellknown construction.

The upper portion of the radiator con stitutes a vapor chamber,

and an extension description,

The engine cylofthis chamber is presented by a radiator cap or closure11 screwed into the neck 9. \Vater vapor to be addedto the fuel chargeis conducted fromthe vapor 'chamberwithin the radiator capby a pipe 12,which delivers the vapor into the intake manifold (3, preferablyintermediate the carburetor and the combustion chambers. Herein, thispipe is provided with a valve 18, conveniently located near theoperators position to control the amount of vapor supplied to the fuelcharge. 7

To prevent the possibility of unvaporized water entering the inletorifice of the vapor supplypipe, the radiator cap is pro-- vided with arestricted passage 14, between the upper portionof the vapor chamber andthe water space therebelow. Herein, this passage is presented by abaffle 15 of frusto-conical form, which drains back into the water spaceany condensed vapor, and because ofits form and location prevents waterfrom slopping in an upward direction to 'a' height where it could reachthe inlet orifice of the vapor pipe. In the present example, the vaporpipe extends in a downward direction through the restricted passage. Thepipe may lead through the radiator neck and through the upper portion ofthe radiator, and thence rearwardly through the rear wall thereof, as at16, or it may be led laterally through the circumferential wall of thecap, as in Fig. 3, in which event, a flexible tube 17 may be providedfor convenient detachment from the vapor pipe when the radiator cap isto be unscrewed to permit the filling of the radiator. 1

In operation, the apparatus supplies vapor to the fuel charge, therebytending to result in an increased economy, and to reduce theaccumulation of carbon deposits in the combustion chambers, withoutdanger of unvaporized Waterreaching the engine intake and interferingwith its operation.

Having thus described one embodiment of the invention, but withoutlimiting'myself thereto, what I claim and desire by Letters Patent tosecure is 1. In 'a vapor supply system for fuel charges of internalcombustion engines, the combination of an engine-heated water reservoir,a filling cap therefor presenting a vapor chamber above the water spaceand a restricted passage within said filling cap between said vaporchamber and said water space, and a vapor pipe having its inlet orificein said vapor chamber within said filling cap above said restrictedpassage.

2. The combination with a water-cooled internal combustion engine andits radiator,

of means presenting an upward extensionof the vapor space of saidradiator, a vapor conduit leading from said extension to the fuel intakeof said engine, and a baflie below the inlet orifice of said Vapor pipe,said baflie having an opening through which said pipe extends, and saidbaflie having upper and lower surfaces inclined upwardly from 15 saidopening.

3. The combination with a Water-cooled internal combustion engine andits radiator, of a filling cap for the radiator presenting .a vaporchamber, a conduit communicating with said chamber for supplying vaporto the intake of the engine, and a baflie providing a restriction insaid cap below the inlet of said conduit; said baflie constructed andarranged to prevent water from slopping into the conduit and to returnWater of condensation to the radiator.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

PERCY L. JONES.

